Things To Look For...

Choose a bow that matches your shooting style

Different styles of archery benefit from using different types of compound bows. For example, a hunter would benefit from having a compound bow that is shorter and lighter than what a sportsperson would use when performing target archery.

Think about the kind of archery you will be performing — do you need a specialized hunting bow, an all-rounder bow or a bow designed for sports archery?

Look for a bow designed specifically for you shooting style.

Choose the appropriate draw weight

It doesn’t matter if you are using a $2000 bow or a $200 bow — if you have the wrong draw weight, your shooting will be inaccurate!

The draw weight refers to how much strength is required to pull the bow string back. Most compound bows can achieve a specific range of draw weights.

In most cases, an adult male should use a bow with a draw weight of between 45-75 lbs and an adult female should a compound bow with a draw weight of between 25-55 lbs.

Your weight, height, strength and personal preference will all combine to determine how heavy the draw weight on your bow should be.

Some states have a minimum draw weight requirement for compound bows used to hunt animals.

This is to ensure that the projectiles fired at an animal will carry enough velocity to kill the animal immediately.

If you are interested in hunting deer, for example, your bow should have a draw weight of between 40 to 60 lbs to achieve the high velocities necessary for hunting large game.

If you choose a bow with a draw weight is too heavy for you to manage, your accuracy will suffer and you may injure yourself.

Choose the right draw length

The draw length refers to how far you pull the bow string back before firing.

To choose the appropriate length, straighten your arms at should height as if you were forming the letter “T”.

Have someone measure the distance in inches from fingertip to fingertip then divide that number by 2.5.

Choose the correct let-off setting

Compound bows have a lower draw weight towards the end of the stroke. This makes it easier to aim the bow once you have pulled the bow string all of the way back.

If the bow has a high let-off, there is less pressure at the end of the stroke, if it has a low let-off, there is more pressure.

You might be wondering why you would choose a bow with a low let-off?

It’s because it allows the bow can achieve faster feet per second (FPS) speeds. A bow with a high let-off can also feel a bit too “loose” for some people.

Most people opt for a bow with a mid or high let-off, but you might prefer the additional FPS from a lower let-off.

Other Considerations...

In addition to design, draw weight, draw length and let-off setting, consider the following attributes of the compound bows you look at:

Peep Sight

If you are an experienced archer, you might prefer a small 1/16” peep sight on your bow.

If you prefer a peep sight that is easier to use, opt for a 1/8” or even a 3/16”.

Speed: Feet Per Second (FPS)

Faster bows are capable of being more accurate at range and penetrating targets.

However, faster bows will have more draw weight. Only choose a fast FPS bow if you really need it.

Length and Weight of the Bow

If you are using the bow for hunting, you may be shooting from awkward positions. Because of this, you should opt for a shorter bow that is easier to handle.

If you are interested in sport archery, choose a longer bow with more stability and less vibration.

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About the Author - Dave

Hi, I'm Dave, the Head Hunter here at HelloTrail and you might have guessed it already...my handle back home is Crockett. Needless to say I like to hunt and have been doing so for over 30 years now. In the farm country of the Midwest it's our way of life and these days I'm happy to pass on what my Dad and Uncles taught me to my son.Oh, and you too of course! 😉

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